Doriane Pin Becomes First Woman to Test a Mercedes F1 Car, Backed by Susie Wolff

2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin, 22, took the wheel of a 2021 Mercedes W12 at Silverstone, becoming the first female driver to test a Mercedes Formula 1 car. F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff sent her a personal note, urging Pin to trust the engineers and enjoy the experience.

Why it matters:

The significance extends beyond a personal milestone. Pin’s test shows Mercedes’ willingness to support the women‑driven pathway created by the F1 Academy, and it provides a tangible role model for aspiring female racers. Each breakthrough helps close the gender gap that still exists at the sport’s highest level.

The details:

• Pin drove the 2021‑spec Mercedes W12, the chassis that Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas used to win the championship.
• The test took place on the historic Silverstone circuit, with the Maggotts‑Becketts complex highlighted in Wolff’s message.
• Susie Wolff, the former Williams driver and last woman to appear in an F1 practice session in 2014, wrote: “You’ll feel the car’s straight‑line speed, then trust the engineers and enjoy every minute.”
• Pin described the experience as “incredible,” noting she’s grateful for the network she’s built through the Academy and Mercedes.

What's next:

Mercedes has said the test is part of an ongoing evaluation of Pin’s readiness for a potential 2026 seat, while the F1 Academy will continue to place its graduates in top‑team programs. If Pin’s performance meets the team’s benchmarks, she could become the first woman to race in a Grand Prix, a step that would reshape the sport’s talent pipeline.